Nicotine vaccines: Will smokers take a shot at quitting?

Abstract

Introduction: A vaccine against nicotine may soon be available to smokers who want to quit. The vaccine stimulates the production of antibodies that bind to nicotine, thereby impeding nicotine from crossing the blood-brain barrier and exerting psychoactive effects. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate intentions to try a nicotine vaccine if one were to become available among a nationally representative sample of smokers. The secondary purpose was to assess whether information about genetic susceptibility to nicotine addiction had an effect on smokers' interest in receiving the vaccine.Methods: Four hundred and twenty-seven adults were randomized to read one of two versions of a short description about the vaccine. One version framed addiction as genetically influenced, while the other framed it as environmentally influenced. Smokers were then asked about their intentions to use a nicotine vaccine if one were to become available in the future.Results: Across both groups, 53% indicated that they would be likely or very likely to try the vaccine. Using multivariate linear regression, the strongest predictors of vaccination intention were having a favorable attitude toward a nicotine vaccine (b = .41) and having a favorable attitude toward vaccination in general (b = .22). There were no significant effects of the framing conditions on intention to receive the vaccine.Discussion: Intentions to try a nicotine vaccine as a cessation method are relatively high among smokers. If the vaccine becomes available, specific groups of smokers may be more interested than others; education and recruitment efforts could be targeted appropriately.

Exploring Smokers’ Knowledge and Expectations Toward Nicotine Vaccination: A Qualitative Study

“…However, one study investigated the willingness of using a nicotine vaccine for smoking cessation (Leader et al, 2010). The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate smokers' intentions to try a nicotine vaccine, when it becomes available.…”

“…The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate smokers' intentions to try a nicotine vaccine, when it becomes available. In total, 53% of all smokers indicated they would likely or very likely try this novel therapy (Leader et al, 2010). Additionally, smokers who were motivated to quit had the highest intentions to try nicotine vaccination.…”

“…However, the knowledge and expectations that smokers have about this therapy, which is not yet available on the market, remain unclear. We only found one study showing that smokers who are motivated to quit smoking appear to have high intentions to try a new therapy such as nicotine vaccination that is not yet available on the market (Leader, Lerman, & Cappella, 2010).…”

Nicotine vaccines to treat tobacco dependence

“…Smokers who never tried to quit smoking were least likely to try vaccine (28%), while most favorable to the vaccine were those who had tried 5 or more times in the past to quit smoking (66%). 54 A possible limitation of the vaccination may be compensatory smoking (i.e., smoking more cigarettes or taking deeper and more frequent puffs) when the titer of antibodies is insufficient, because due to this incomplete inactivation, nicotine can finally reach the brain. 55 It can also cause another problems, as the effect of vaccination can be circumvented by using a higher dose of nicotine.…”

The Pharmacist “Toolbox” for Smoking Cessation

“…44 With the anticipated craving reduction, an easy smoking cessation would follow. 45 Celtic Pharma, NovartisCytos, Nabi, and Chilka Pharmaceuticals have researched and developed a nicotine immunization.…”